Russia continues to launch Rokot boosters

Russian Space Force may continue to launch Rokot boosters later this year, following a February crash.

Xinhua quoted Vladimir Nesterov, director of the Khrunichev space center, saying that resolving issues related to technical problems of Rokot rocket has been underway, but this work is met by great difficulty.

Rokot boosters.Photo: Defenseindex

Russia was forced to stop using Rokot boosters after a failed launch in February, when this light rocket sent the Geo-IK-2 satellite to the desired trajectory. The Rokot (Roar) can carry loads of up to 1,950 kg to fly to an altitude of about 200 km in orbit of the earth.

In another statement, Nesterov also said Russia would stop using Kosmos boosters in 2012. The Russian Space Force will then begin testing Angara missiles in 2013, in addition to building one. the new missile base at the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.

In the period of 2012-2013, Russia will also complete the modernization of Proton heavy missiles, if financial conditions permit.